EPA moves to tighten water safety regulations

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking to tighten rules protecting the safety of water in public systems.

A new rule proposed Thursday would call on water suppliers to make repairs whenever testing indicates the possibility of contamination. For example, that could mean when tests detect even harmless microbes, which could suggest a broken water main or other pathway that also might allow dangerous germs into the system.

Currently, water systems are required to do periodic tests and to make repairs if hazardous microbes are discovered.

No effective date has been set for the new rule, which will be open to public comment for 60 days.